|  | Conditions Treatments | Brain Tumors

What Causes Glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma multiforme is the name of the most malignant and prevalent type of primary brain tumor. This tumor rapidly spreads to other areas of the brain; because of the tumor's aggressiveness, treatment of glioblastoma multiforme is often very complicated. Even after tumors have been treated, recurrence is quite common.

  1. Risk Factors

    • Glioblastoma risk factors usually do not directly lead to the condition itself. However, there are links between certain risk factors and the development of the glioblastoma. If a person has even one glioblastoma risk factor, their chances of getting it become significantly higher; however, many people who have absolutely no risk factors at all can still end up getting glioblastoma. It can be very hard to predict.

    Viral Risk Factors

    • The viruses cytomegalovirus and SV40 have been shown to have some possible correlation with the development of glioblastoma multiforme. Cytomegalovirus is a condition that is part of the Herpesviridae group, while SV40 is short for Simian vacuolating virus 40, a DNA virus that occurs in humans and monkeys alike.

    Groups at Risk

    • Certain factors could cause glioblastoma multiforme. Males have a higher chance of developing it, so gender is a slight factor (though the difference between men and women is not drastic). People over 50 years of age also have a higher chance of developing it, so advanced age is significant. Finally, Caucasians, Asians and Hispanics are the three ethnic groups that are most likely to get glioblastoma multiforme.

    Astrocytoma

    • People suffering from low degree Astrocytoma, or tumors shaped like stars, also have higher chances of getting glioblastoma multiforme. Astrocytoma often develops into a higher severity tumor, such as glioblastoma.

    Genetic Disorders

    • Having a genetic disorder can cause glioblastoma multiforme. There are specific genetic disorders that often lead to this specific type of tumor, including Von Hippel-Lindau disease, tuberous sclerosis, neurofibromatosis, Turcot syndrome and Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

Brain Tumors - Related Articles